Your city hall is still busy with those short-term rentals

So, last week, on April 21st, your Vancouver City Council held a Special Council meeting. The big item on the agenda was a business licence application for a short-term rental at 1801-1788 Columbia Street. You know, one of those places folks use for quick stays, sometimes a lot like a hotel.

Council's vote was unanimous in favour of the application. Councillors B Montague, L Zhou, and S Orr all voted "In Favour." Councillor R Bligh was noted as "Absent," but the decision still carried unanimously among those present. This kind of application usually flags some discussion, given the ongoing conversations around housing availability in Vancouver. It’s a delicate balance, trying to support tourism while residents struggle to find a long-term place to live.

* **Date:** April 21, 2026

* **Item:** Business Licence Application No. AL0188353 (Short Term Rental)

* **Location:** 1801-1788 Columbia Street

* **Outcome:** Carried Unanimously

It’s interesting to see these go through so smoothly. This particular address is in a rather central spot, not far from Olympic Village—a place that’s seen a fair bit of development and change over the last decade. It makes you wonder how these decisions ripple out across the neighbourhoods.

Beautiful out here. Complicated in here. That's the coast.

Kenji Nakashima (@westcoastweird_yvr)

The MiTL morning crew discusses the ripple effect of these decisions daily—you can tune in at mornings.live.